Don't know what to do with hydrangeas

[Sandra]

Have moved into a house with hydrangeas and really don't know what to do with them. Read further up on the board that they do require a lot of water and should be in shade. Ours are not really in shade and though think we've been watering them well...? They were real pretty but now brown and gone?? The post I mentioned indicates they should be pruned in early summer after they've finished blooming; can I assume by now it is typical they are finished blooming rather than there is a problem with them? Could someone give me pointers on how to prune them, should they be mulched, etc? These are new critters to me! Thanks, Sandra